The major difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the (a)direction of the wave motion (b)direction of the particle placement
(c)direction of the particle displacement with respect to the direction of wave motion
(d)frequency of the wave.
Answer: (c)direction of the particle displacement with respect to the direction of wave motion
The major difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the direction of the particle displacement with respect to the direction of wave motion.
To understand this difference, let's first define transverse and longitudinal waves:
1. Transverse waves: In transverse waves, the particles of the medium move perpendicular (or at right angles) to the direction in which the wave is traveling. This means that the motion of the particles is oscillating up and down or side to side, while the wave itself moves forward. Examples of transverse waves include water waves, electromagnetic waves (such as light and radio waves), and the wave produced by shaking a rope.
2. Longitudinal waves: In longitudinal waves, the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction in which the wave is traveling. This means that the motion of the particles is back and forth or compressing and expanding in the same direction as the wave propagation. Examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves and the wave produced by pushing and pulling a slinky.
Now, coming back to the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves:
(a) Direction of the wave motion: In both transverse and longitudinal waves, the wave motion occurs in a specific direction. So, this is not the major difference between the two types of waves.
(b) Direction of the particle placement: In both transverse and longitudinal waves, the particles are placed in a particular medium. So, this is also not the major difference between the two types of waves.
(c) Direction of the particle displacement with respect to the direction of wave motion: This is the key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves. In transverse waves, the particle displacement is perpendicular (or at right angles) to the direction of wave motion. In other words, the particles move up and down or side to side while the wave moves forward. On the other hand, in longitudinal waves, the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave motion. In other words, the particles move back and forth or compress and expand along the same direction as the wave propagation.
Understanding the direction of particle displacement with respect to the direction of wave motion helps differentiate transverse and longitudinal waves.
The major difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the direction of the particle displacement with respect to the direction of wave motion.
In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of the wave propagation. This means that the particles oscillate up and down or side to side, while the wave motion moves forward.
In a longitudinal wave, on the other hand, the particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of the wave propagation. This means that the particles oscillate back and forth, or compress and rarefy, in the same direction as the wave motion.
So, the correct answer is (c) direction of the particle displacement with respect to the direction of wave motion.